This would make for a nice matinee. It's a little bit overlong and convoluted, but it's also nicely atmospheric and has a very good final act. The performances are good and I appreciate Neeson's more vulnerable turn here as opposed to be a full-on action hero, and Brian "Astro" Bradley as his sort of teen sidekick is great. He's the real standout. This is a dark movie, but it has some humor which actually works because it's realistic. While there are some sequences that don't work, there are others that work really well, and despite its occasional pacing issues, it warrants being checked out. That's all I have to say. Shortest review ever. 7/10, good, one thumb up, above average, etc.
A much better movie than this review suggests. Strong performance from Neeson, unnerving villains, some interesting staging of what could have been bog standard scenes.. and it’s better than all the films that are negatively mentioned Neeson was previously in, particularity as in this film he’s not an action hero, he’s a gumshoe detective. Review suggests casting a young ‘hip’ rapper was to bring in a young audience.. from interviews they just cast who they thought was best for the role. And a spoiler filled trailer is not the fault of the movie and the director Scott Frank was upset they put that out.. thankfully seeing it four years on away for the promotional material it has no detrimental effect on a first watch. Definitely worth checking out.
I didn't come in with any preconceived ideas about how this apparently would be more "grown up" or something, nor had I watched any trailers... and this turned out to be a perfectly fine film. It's solid pulpy stuff about The Detective who has a dark past and works fine as such. Bit of a miss from Kermode here, which is is odd since he has shown appreciation for genre stuff when it's solid and nothing more before.
A bit harsh. I agree with a lot of the film is IN the trailer. But, I do like Neeson for Nesson's sake. If Neeson is in it, its going to be a non thinking B movie type film, which I enjoy. This wasn't as enjoyable as Non stop, which I really liked, but hey, its Neeson, and I love his films. On a side note, id love to see a film made and directed by Mark Kermode. I always think this of any critic, be it food, art etc. It would be too perfect in every way. The bad bits, plot holes etc are what makes a film, be it good or bad.
I think he's being pretty harsh. Sure it's pretty formulaic. But it's a good tense thriller well acted and I enjoyed the dour moody tone of it that is reminiscent of the old noir films. I like Mark but he can be a bit over the top.
Don't agree Mark. It wasn't a classic noir detective story by any means but the story was fine and the performances were pretty good. Rather see another one of these films than a Taken 4/5/6...
Since he did Taken, most Liam Neeson films have become very predictable. Kermode is right this film. I saw it last night with some friends and he was completely predictable.
Kermodes been watching too much of the same thing. Saturday night, glass door of wine and a few nibbles and you'll enjoy it. It was fine and no where near as bad a Kermodes saying.
In effect the Liam Neeson dark voice is starting to come across as the Batman voice, which is a bit sad because I think only one person should be doing that - Batman
Whilst the film is cliched, underwritten & slow in parts, the film has praise for the bleak tone, acclaiming acting & intriguing premise. (65%) (3/5 stars) (mixed to positive)
I felt a bit uncomfortable watching this. I mean it's a film that revolves around some bad men doing terrible things to women and there's literally not one single real female character in the whole film. It just all felt very exploitative. It doesn't help that the film is just generally mediocre as well.
agmor1 Well then if you do not like him and prefer to listen to the others then why are you on his YT page making comments and listening to his reviews? Listen to the others if you like them so much. I saw this film and Kermode was correct on every level. I like Kermode and I think he is the best and this is MY OPINION!!!!! And you can keep yours! Done!
Luvie1980 While I like him, as a critic Mr. Kermode is at best okay. Most critics suck, though. I guess it comes from them reviewing too many films and doing it for a popular audience. They are lazy and do not really take the care necessary in their critiques or should I say reviews.
I really liked it, didn't find it boring and even though it does have genre cliches I think it easily gets over them.
I think it should be a prerequisite for Kermode to finish all reviews with a Danny Dyer impression.
Nearly every critic and I disagree, it is miles better than that taken rubbish.
Scott Frank shot and wrote a great movie
Are there any cops in films who don't have a drinking problem?
Exit Wounds, he had to go to anger management
Dirty Harry.
Ahh the hilarious Danny Dyer impression, it gets me every time!
This would make for a nice matinee. It's a little bit overlong and convoluted, but it's also nicely atmospheric and has a very good final act. The performances are good and I appreciate Neeson's more vulnerable turn here as opposed to be a full-on action hero, and Brian "Astro" Bradley as his sort of teen sidekick is great. He's the real standout. This is a dark movie, but it has some humor which actually works because it's realistic. While there are some sequences that don't work, there are others that work really well, and despite its occasional pacing issues, it warrants being checked out. That's all I have to say. Shortest review ever. 7/10, good, one thumb up, above average, etc.
A much better movie than this review suggests. Strong performance from Neeson, unnerving villains, some interesting staging of what could have been bog standard scenes.. and it’s better than all the films that are negatively mentioned Neeson was previously in, particularity as in this film he’s not an action hero, he’s a gumshoe detective. Review suggests casting a young ‘hip’ rapper was to bring in a young audience.. from interviews they just cast who they thought was best for the role. And a spoiler filled trailer is not the fault of the movie and the director Scott Frank was upset they put that out.. thankfully seeing it four years on away for the promotional material it has no detrimental effect on a first watch. Definitely worth checking out.
YES Dyer impression. Score.
You've upset Simon but you've pleased all the listeners!
I didn't come in with any preconceived ideas about how this apparently would be more "grown up" or something, nor had I watched any trailers... and this turned out to be a perfectly fine film. It's solid pulpy stuff about The Detective who has a dark past and works fine as such. Bit of a miss from Kermode here, which is is odd since he has shown appreciation for genre stuff when it's solid and nothing more before.
It is not the critic who counts, nor the man who points out how the doer of deeds could have done them better
could not disagree more mark I thought the first hour of this was absolutely fantastic.
Mark should know better that trailers are put together by marketing people, not the film-makers. Must have been having an off day.
A bit harsh. I agree with a lot of the film is IN the trailer. But, I do like Neeson for Nesson's sake. If Neeson is in it, its going to be a non thinking B movie type film, which I enjoy. This wasn't as enjoyable as Non stop, which I really liked, but hey, its Neeson, and I love his films.
On a side note, id love to see a film made and directed by Mark Kermode. I always think this of any critic, be it food, art etc. It would be too perfect in every way. The bad bits, plot holes etc are what makes a film, be it good or bad.
I think he's being pretty harsh. Sure it's pretty formulaic. But it's a good tense thriller well acted and I enjoyed the dour moody tone of it that is reminiscent of the old noir films. I like Mark but he can be a bit over the top.
Don't agree Mark. It wasn't a classic noir detective story by any means but the story was fine and the performances were pretty good. Rather see another one of these films than a Taken 4/5/6...
YOU DID THE DANNY DYAAAAAA!!!!! hahahahaah 'you've upset a lot of people' 'hmmmm' haha genius!!!
Since he did Taken, most Liam Neeson films have become very predictable. Kermode is right this film. I saw it last night with some friends and he was completely predictable.
So does that mean Clint Eastwood who basically plays the same role\voice is also a Danny Dyer..!
He does know Matt Scudder novels are like this right?
Kermodes been watching too much of the same thing. Saturday night, glass door of wine and a few nibbles and you'll enjoy it. It was fine and no where near as bad a Kermodes saying.
A Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles review would have been excelent, how come it wasn't reviewed?
In effect the Liam Neeson dark voice is starting to come across as the Batman voice, which is a bit sad because I think only one person should be doing that - Batman
Basically, this film is mix of Taken & Non Stop.
Basically, you haven't seen non stop then, nothing like it!
Whilst the film is cliched, underwritten & slow in parts, the film has praise for the bleak tone, acclaiming acting & intriguing premise. (65%) (3/5 stars) (mixed to positive)
I have to disagree with this one. I really enjoyed this film
wheres the cravat???
I felt a bit uncomfortable watching this. I mean it's a film that revolves around some bad men doing terrible things to women and there's literally not one single real female character in the whole film. It just all felt very exploitative.
It doesn't help that the film is just generally mediocre as well.
I thought this film was awesome. The 2 guys that chopped up the drug dealers wife was brutal
Why give away a twist in the review?
100% AGREE WITH EVERYTHING IN THIS REVIEW.
better film than this review indicates, not wonderful but better fare than neesons recent work
I find him funny sometimes, but sometimes he really does come across as a snobby prick. Hazard of the job I suppose.
Kermode is far from a snobby prick. Name one other film critic besides Ebert who dissects films thoroughly with his/her reviews.
agmor1 Well then if you do not like him and prefer to listen to the others then why are you on his YT page making comments and listening to his reviews? Listen to the others if you like them so much. I saw this film and Kermode was correct on every level. I like Kermode and I think he is the best and this is MY OPINION!!!!! And you can keep yours! Done!
Luvie1980
While I like him, as a critic Mr. Kermode is at best okay. Most critics suck, though. I guess it comes from them reviewing too many films and doing it for a popular audience. They are lazy and do not really take the care necessary in their critiques or should I say reviews.
He does go into more depth if the material warrants it. He thought the film was clichéd nonsense, and I agree
your opinion
Liam Neeson...tch-tch-tch-tch-tch-tchhhhhh
Taken 3
Agree with the Dr. It's a very ordinary film ... nothing there I haven't seen before. 4/10 maximum.
I agree with Mark. It's a shame, as Block's novels are great - but this just didn't work.
Boring film thanks kermode.